John W. Buckner, a 59-year-old African American male, was tragically killed on September 16, 2015, in Chicago, IL. Buckner, a civilian employee of the Chicago Police Department (CPD), was unloading groceries from his car near his home in the Morgan Park neighborhood when he was shot. The incident occurred around 8:45 p.m. in the 11500 block of South Church Street. Three males on bicycles rode by and opened fire, striking Buckner in the abdomen.
He was rushed to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he was pronounced dead at 10:25 p.m. Buckner had worked for the CPD for 25 years and was known for his dedication and kindness.
The investigation into Buckner's death led to the arrest of William Cochran, an 18-year-old male from Chicago. Cochran was charged with first-degree murder, aggravated battery, and discharge of a firearm. According to authorities, Cochran and two other suspects, who are still being sought, were responsible for the shooting. The attack appeared to be random, with no indication that Buckner was the intended target. Another man, aged 41, was also injured in the shooting, sustaining a gunshot wound to the ear while standing on a nearby porch.
The case against Cochran progressed through the legal system, with significant evidence gathered from witnesses and video footage. Cochran was eventually convicted of multiple counts of murder and attempted murder. The conviction brought some measure of justice to Buckner's family, though the pain of their loss remained. The community and Buckner's colleagues at the CPD remembered him as a generous and caring individual, deeply missed by all who knew him.
